Weekly Release Spotlight
That one perfect album that we (and you) almost missed.
Portrait of a Dog by Jonah Yano
Japanese-Canadian singer-songwriter, Jonah Yano has released his sophomore LP, Portrait of a Dog. Yano enlists the help of fellow Canadian artists BADBADNOTGOOD to co-produce this new jazzy, emotional, and soulful album. The title track “Portrait of a Dog” is deeply sensitive and beautifully simple, yet he’s singing about something so complicated. The song is about Yano’s memories that he’s “forgotten” due to the painful nature of them. All the instruments blend so nicely together creating something lush and powerful. The track “Always” is a song for someone else. He sings to his brother, healing from getting his heart broken. I’m a huge fan of the instrumentation in this track. The piano is a more of a central instrument here, but once again, nothing is overpowering. This album makes you stop and think about things. Things from your past. After hearing this album, I can’t help but think about what the rest of Yano’s music will sound like. I’m looking forward to it.
Thank you Alexander by Mary Middlefield
Swiss singer/songwriter Mary Middlefield has released her new album “Thank You Alexander”. Middlefield’s songwriting ability just floats along this ethereal theme that blurs the line between the genres of indie-folk and pop. The track “Two Thousand One” (named after her birth year) is a breakup song filled with incredible instrumentation with such a powerful vibe of nostalgia underneath her lyrics. Middlefield sings “Oh why why why” when singing about her past abusive relationship, leaving me to absolutely melt into my chair. The upward chord progression that accompanies her singing is absolutely magical and I strongly recommend putting on your good pair of headphones when listening. The track “Band-aid” has a warm acoustic guitar with soothing vocals and purposeful lyrics.The piano in the background is sparse and feathery. “Thank You Alexander” is an introspective album, as it's sure to leave you staring out of the car window wondering where it all went wrong. Keep your head up champ.
Songs in Zetta: "It Is What It Is" and "Win Some Lose Some" by Darksoft
Seattle-based multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Darksoft presents new album, Beigeification, “a postmodern dose of beigey moods and pastel phrases to match the disillusionment of our age,” according to the artist. The album combines elements of dream pop, shoegaze, and alternative rock, with soothing vocals. “It Is What It Is” immediately teleports you to a place of nostalgia with its great intro. The vocals then seamlessly slide into the song, further locking you into this addictive tune. When it comes to instrumentation, the guitar chords are so airy and accompany the bass line nicely. In the track “Win Some Lose Some” we get introduced to a nice synth presence. You can hear a theme of melancholic acceptance in Darksoft’s lyrics, as well as the concept of moving forward.
'Seagulls' EP by George O'Hanlon
British singer-songwriter George O’Hanlon has released his second EP “Seagulls”. His music has some nice energy to it and is also super lulling which pulls you in. The vocals also sound clean and lyrics are super purposeful. The title track “Seagulls” has heavy and melodic guitar riffs that are bound to get you in your One Tree Hill watching-mid 2000s throwback-esque feels. O’Hanlon says that the song is a reflection of his time in school. “It’s a song for all the lonely, frustrated kids both past and present staring out the window,” O’Hanlon said in a Pmstudio interview.
'Galerie' by Anomalie
Anomalie is the live electronic product of Montreal-based keyboardist and producer Nicolas Dupuis. He lays down pretty funky keys and rhythms throughout “Galerie’, his latest album, and isn’t afraid to mess around with the time and key signature of his tracks. You definitely want to look more into this artist, the song ‘Hummingbird” makes you want to get up and dance.
Electricity by Ibibio Sound Machine
The London-based Afro-funk group Ibibio Sound Machine have released their most intricate and punchy work to date with their new album Electricity. In collaboration with the synth pop band Hot Chip, they meld together electronic bass with West African horns and drums to create a very uniquely groovy sound that is sure to make you rush out to the dance floor.